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What Makes an EQ or Compressor VST High-Quality: Insights and Examples from Pros

October 6, 2024

When selecting EQ and compressor plugins, musicians and producers look for more than just a shiny interface or brand recognition. It's all about how these tools perform in real-world scenarios...

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Sound Design 101: Crafting Killer Drum Sounds Using Synthesizers

October 6, 2024

Drum sounds form the backbone of many music genres, and while sample packs are popular, designing your own drum sounds from scratch can elevate your production to a whole new level. Crafting custom...

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Mastering Multiband Compression Sidechaining: A Solution to Clashing Frequencies

October 6, 2024

In modern music production, one of the most common challenges is the clash of frequencies between instruments. For example, bass guitars and drum kits often compete for space in the lower end of...

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Studio One Workflow Tips for Faster Music Production

October 1, 2024

Studio One by PreSonus is an incredibly powerful DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that offers a variety of tools to streamline your music production workflow. However, like many DAWs, getting the...

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Solving the Issue of Buried Crash Cymbals in the Mix

October 1, 2024

Crash cymbals often get buried in the mix, especially when using complex miking techniques like Glyn Johns, which balances close mics with overheads. While re-recording with higher cymbals may be a...

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GarageBand Hacks: Creating Professional-Sounding Tracks Without Expensive Plugins

October 1, 2024

GarageBand is often seen as an entry-level DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it has powerful tools that, when used effectively, can create professional-quality tracks. Many indie musicians and...

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Solving the General MIDI Program Change Dilemma in Ableton

October 1, 2024

When working with MIDI in Ableton, one might notice that although MIDI clips can send program changes, most of Ableton's native plugins don’t seem to respond to these changes effectively. This can...

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Escaping 'Tutorial Hell': Stay Motivated and Actually Progress in Music Production

September 21, 2024

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Should You Write Music or Lyrics First? Solutions from Famous Creators

September 20, 2024

One of the most common challenges for songwriters is deciding whether to write the music or lyrics first. This can feel like a "chicken-or-egg" situation, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer...

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How to Plan the Perfect Release Day for Your Single or Album

September 20, 2024

Releasing a new single or album is a huge milestone for any musician. However, without proper planning, your work may not get the attention it deserves. It’s not just about putting the song online...

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Mastering the Low End: Compression Tips for a Tight Mix

September 20, 2024

When it comes to music production, getting the low end right can be tricky. Many producers face a common issue: after the initial mix sounds perfect, a few days later, the low end starts to feel...

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How to Turn a Bedroom into a Professional Home Studio on a Budget

September 19, 2024

For many aspiring musicians, the dream of creating a professional-quality home studio seems out of reach due to costs and space constraints. However, with the right strategies and tools, it's...

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The New Era of SM Entertainment: The Debut of RIIZE

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Photo Source: Kpop Profiles

As K-pop continues to gain international recognition and success, partnerships continue between Korean and American labels. Alongside RCA Records in the States, SM Entertainment’s newest boy group, RIIZE, is showing enormous promise in the growing music market. The group’s name is a combination of two works: rise and realize to mean “a group that grows together to realize a dream”. The group consists of members Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Seunghan, Sohee, and Anton. 

On September 4, 2023, RIIZE made their debut with the single album, ‘Get A Guitar’, featuring two tracks, ‘Get A Guitar’ and ‘Memories’. ‘Get A Guitar’ strays away from SM’s venture into the world of synths with groups like NCT, and is instead a pop-centric song with a youthful vibe. As the name suggests, the song features a guitar hook, leading to a groovy and infectious beat. ‘Memories’ evokes nostalgia through a catchy guitar rhythm meshed with warm synth sounds. The track is a poetic ode to youth and the days filled with dreams and aspirations. Through RIIZE’s smooth harmonies and meaningful lyrics, the song conveys an immense sense of optimism. 

Since their debut, RIIZE has reached great success, including selling over a million copies of the album, ‘Get A Guitar’ in the first week. The group has already established themselves as a group with a distinct sound and incredible talents, providing an exciting portrayal of the future of Kpop.